Friday, June 30, 2006
Business Building in Italy
Exciting news.
Our book 'Starting a Business in Italy: how to set up and run a successful business in the Bel Paese' has now been edited and the front cover designed.
And, if all goes to plan, it will be on sale in September and in the bookshops from October.
It's great to know that all the hard work that Mario and I have put into the practical manual has been worth it.
The book ties in with our next workshop Business Building in Italy, which we'll be running in Sardinia this September.
For www.howtoitaly.com blog readers, we are offering a special deal.
Emma Bird is the co-director of www.howtoitaly.com
Our book 'Starting a Business in Italy: how to set up and run a successful business in the Bel Paese' is coming soon.
Our book 'Starting a Business in Italy: how to set up and run a successful business in the Bel Paese' has now been edited and the front cover designed.
And, if all goes to plan, it will be on sale in September and in the bookshops from October.
It's great to know that all the hard work that Mario and I have put into the practical manual has been worth it.
The book ties in with our next workshop Business Building in Italy, which we'll be running in Sardinia this September.
For www.howtoitaly.com blog readers, we are offering a special deal.
- You will get a 30-minute free consultation with me or Mario (normal price Eur60) valid for 12 months after the event.
- 10 per cent discount on all future seminars, events or consultations booked with www.howtoitaly.com
- Discount for friends/family sharing room. Cost Eur850 in two instead of Eur980.
- Free question and answer email advice for six months after the event (normal price Eur360)
Emma Bird is the co-director of www.howtoitaly.com
Our book 'Starting a Business in Italy: how to set up and run a successful business in the Bel Paese' is coming soon.
Wednesday, June 28, 2006
Divided Loyalties?
Watching the World Cup this week has made me realise one thing. Just how unpatriotic I've become in supporting the Boys from England.
And that's no mean feat when you consider that I used to go to Anfield to watch Liverpool live when I was working as a reporter in the city back in 2001, and even now I always check out the football results online.
Of course, I whooped and cheered in the bar on Sunday when David Beckham scored the golden goal that took us through to the quarter finals.
But I was more focussed on Italy's match the next day against Australia and whether the Azzuri would work their magic - which, with Francesco Totti's penalty kick in the final minute, they did.
Some would accuse me of betraying my home country but it's not that at all. I love Britain, I love going back to see friends and family and for business meetings and can still go misty eyed reminiscing about drinking pints in a traditional country pub.
But Italy is where I live, where I've set up my business, where I pay taxes, where I have bought a home and where I have lots of Italian friends.
Why shouldn't I support Totti and the team?
Emma Bird is the co-director of www.howtoitaly.com
Our book 'Starting a Business in Italy: how to set up and run a successful business in the Bel Paese' is coming soon.
And that's no mean feat when you consider that I used to go to Anfield to watch Liverpool live when I was working as a reporter in the city back in 2001, and even now I always check out the football results online.
Of course, I whooped and cheered in the bar on Sunday when David Beckham scored the golden goal that took us through to the quarter finals.
But I was more focussed on Italy's match the next day against Australia and whether the Azzuri would work their magic - which, with Francesco Totti's penalty kick in the final minute, they did.
Some would accuse me of betraying my home country but it's not that at all. I love Britain, I love going back to see friends and family and for business meetings and can still go misty eyed reminiscing about drinking pints in a traditional country pub.
But Italy is where I live, where I've set up my business, where I pay taxes, where I have bought a home and where I have lots of Italian friends.
Why shouldn't I support Totti and the team?
Emma Bird is the co-director of www.howtoitaly.com
Our book 'Starting a Business in Italy: how to set up and run a successful business in the Bel Paese' is coming soon.
Tuesday, June 27, 2006
Property bargains in Sardinia
It's been a funny old week in Sardinia weather-wise.
First it was all grey skies. Then the temperatures soared to a swealtering 41 degrees centigrade. And now it's back down to a relatively cool 27 degrees.
But despite the atypical weather for this time of year, I still believe Sardinia is a pretty perfect place to live.
And, after speaking to business partners in America today about a series of workshops we'll soon be running in San Francisco, it's also made me realise just how affordable everything actually is here.
Even here on the Costa Smeralda which doubles up as the playground of the glitterati in July and August, prices are still cheaper than in a lot of towns on the Italians mainland.
These cheap prices extend to property, too. But not for long if a recent report in Italy's economic paper Il Sole 24Ore is anything to go for. Sicily and Sardinia are just two of the places where property prices are going through the roof, with rises up by as much as 20 per cent.
In the Gallura region, off plan property bargains are being snapped up as fast as they are being shown to prospective buyers and it's easy to see why.
After all, with an airport 30 minutes or less away, stunning granite rocks looming behind your house and some of Europe's most beautiful beaches, wouldn't you say 'sì, sì, sì to living here?
Emma Bird is the co-director of www.howtoitaly.com
Our book 'Starting a Business in Italy: how to set up and run a successful business in the Bel Paese' is coming soon.
First it was all grey skies. Then the temperatures soared to a swealtering 41 degrees centigrade. And now it's back down to a relatively cool 27 degrees.
But despite the atypical weather for this time of year, I still believe Sardinia is a pretty perfect place to live.
And, after speaking to business partners in America today about a series of workshops we'll soon be running in San Francisco, it's also made me realise just how affordable everything actually is here.
Even here on the Costa Smeralda which doubles up as the playground of the glitterati in July and August, prices are still cheaper than in a lot of towns on the Italians mainland.
These cheap prices extend to property, too. But not for long if a recent report in Italy's economic paper Il Sole 24Ore is anything to go for. Sicily and Sardinia are just two of the places where property prices are going through the roof, with rises up by as much as 20 per cent.
In the Gallura region, off plan property bargains are being snapped up as fast as they are being shown to prospective buyers and it's easy to see why.
After all, with an airport 30 minutes or less away, stunning granite rocks looming behind your house and some of Europe's most beautiful beaches, wouldn't you say 'sì, sì, sì to living here?
Emma Bird is the co-director of www.howtoitaly.com
Our book 'Starting a Business in Italy: how to set up and run a successful business in the Bel Paese' is coming soon.
Monday, June 26, 2006
Portfolio People
She's a jill-of-all-trades.
It's how I've been described on more than one occasion.
And the negativity of the phrase is enough to send shudders down me.
Yes, I do wear lots of different hats and on any one day could be a journalist, English teacher, writer, consultant and speaker.
But what's wrong with that?
Turn the situation on its head and jack or jill-of-all-trades suddenly becomes someone with a portable career who can change towns and countries at will without sacrificing their career.
And put that way, doesn't it sound a much smarter decision?
Lots of successful expats are porfolio people so why don't you think about becoming one before your move to Italy?
By starting now, you can build up your skills and possibly even a sideline business that you can take with you and develop in the Bel Paese.
At the very least, it will keep the money coming in while you get settled in and look for a full-time or part-time position in Italy.
Don't worry if you have no idea what you want to do. That's where friends and family come in. Ask them to provide a list of your strong points and what they think you're good at.
The chances are you'll be surprised by what they come up with.
Emma Bird is the co-director of www.howtoitaly.com
Our book 'Starting a Business in Italy: how to set up and run a successful business in the Bel Paese' is coming soon.
It's how I've been described on more than one occasion.
And the negativity of the phrase is enough to send shudders down me.
Yes, I do wear lots of different hats and on any one day could be a journalist, English teacher, writer, consultant and speaker.
But what's wrong with that?
Turn the situation on its head and jack or jill-of-all-trades suddenly becomes someone with a portable career who can change towns and countries at will without sacrificing their career.
And put that way, doesn't it sound a much smarter decision?
Lots of successful expats are porfolio people so why don't you think about becoming one before your move to Italy?
By starting now, you can build up your skills and possibly even a sideline business that you can take with you and develop in the Bel Paese.
At the very least, it will keep the money coming in while you get settled in and look for a full-time or part-time position in Italy.
Don't worry if you have no idea what you want to do. That's where friends and family come in. Ask them to provide a list of your strong points and what they think you're good at.
The chances are you'll be surprised by what they come up with.
Emma Bird is the co-director of www.howtoitaly.com
Our book 'Starting a Business in Italy: how to set up and run a successful business in the Bel Paese' is coming soon.
Saturday, June 24, 2006
Tortoises in the Garden
We had an unexpected guest turn up this week.
But no, it wasn't a long lost friend or relative looking to enjoy a week's holiday on the Costa Smeralda but a three-legged tortoise.
We'd left the gate ajar when we popped out to shops and when we came back, he was munching contently away on the weeds before lopsidely heaving his shell into the evening shade.
I'd wanted to put him in the grounds of a B&B I know where he could have munched as much as he wanted.
But tortoises are a protected species in Sardinia and you can be fined for even picking up one from the road and moving it out of harm's way.
So there was nothing for it but to leave the gate wide open so that he could hobble out of his own free will.
For two days he stayed in the same spot and then he was gone in search of his next holiay home.
Emma Bird is the co-director of www.howtoitaly.com
Our book 'Starting a Business in Italy: how to set up and run a successful business in the Bel Paese' is coming soon.
But no, it wasn't a long lost friend or relative looking to enjoy a week's holiday on the Costa Smeralda but a three-legged tortoise.
We'd left the gate ajar when we popped out to shops and when we came back, he was munching contently away on the weeds before lopsidely heaving his shell into the evening shade.
I'd wanted to put him in the grounds of a B&B I know where he could have munched as much as he wanted.
But tortoises are a protected species in Sardinia and you can be fined for even picking up one from the road and moving it out of harm's way.
So there was nothing for it but to leave the gate wide open so that he could hobble out of his own free will.
For two days he stayed in the same spot and then he was gone in search of his next holiay home.
Emma Bird is the co-director of www.howtoitaly.com
Our book 'Starting a Business in Italy: how to set up and run a successful business in the Bel Paese' is coming soon.
